MINISTER of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has led those paying tribute to communications and public relations specialist Lois Grant who died Wednesday on her way to hospital after complaining of severe pain.

Grant’s death came days after the Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew celebrated its 45th anniversary with a special meeting at which it paid tribute to her.

Grant became the first woman to be inducted into the previously all-male club in Jamaica in 1990, despite initial resistance.

In her tribute, Grange said news of the passing of Grant, who made her mark in the fields of communications and public relations and entertainment, left her feeling very sad, as yet another of Jamaica’s stalwarts has fallen.

“Lois will be remembered as a distinguished communications professional who worked in the mass media and in advertising and who established her own company, Corporate Image Communications and Productions, after co-founding Innercity Promotions, which was one of the pioneers of live dancehall concerts in Jamaica.

“In government, Lois also served as director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica from 2007 to 2013, and even when officially retired, she was a consultant with NBC Sports,” said Grange.

“So, sadly, we are saying goodbye to a woman of substance who contributed much to the development of communications and public relations and to the entertainment business and the development of talent in Jamaica,” added Grange as she expressed condolence to Grant’s daughter, Kala Williams; son, Darrick Foster, her other relatives; friends; and associates.

“Rest in peace, Lois Grant, your work was well done,” added Grange.

In his tribute businessman Dwight More said, “The world has lost a truly remarkable person in Lois Grant… I’m still struggling to come to terms with her passing. She was taken from us far too soon. Rest in peace, Lois — you will always be remembered and deeply missed.”

With the induction of Grant, Kiwanis Club of West St Andrew became the first local Kiwanis chapter to admit a woman, following the approval of the Kiwanis International at its 1987 convention.

Paying tribute to Grant during the May 29 special meeting, distinguished president of the West St Andrew chapter of Kiwanis, Don Foster, highlighted the significant impact of the decision to make her a member.

“One of the best decisions the club ever made was to open its membership to women. Since then, it’s the women who have carried their fair share of the work of the club to its present level,” said Foster.

“Lois Grant, who rose to the level of distinguished secretary, paved the way for many other women to join and excel in the club. Our current president is Jacqueline Bennett, among several other women who have held this position,” added Foster.

In the meantime, then president of the chapter Maurice Henry, who proposed Grant’s membership in the then all-male club, recalled the resistance the decision faced: “Some members opposed the move so strongly that they threatened to leave the club. And indeed, some did. But the liberal and progressive members of the board were determined to make the change, and with this determination, the majority of the club’s membership approved the proposal,” Henry recounted.

It was also pointed out that Grant’s induction, which broke the gender ceiling, has been instrumental in keeping the club vibrant and active for 45 years.